Moscow - Russia's Eurovision entry has ignited criticism among home fans of the song contest, adding to sparks of controversy that have built around the competition to be hosted by Moscow this year.

Bloggers and newspapers Tuesday slammed Russia's choice as un- Russian.

A Ukrainian singer, Anastasia Prikhodko, won over the Russian jury and television voters on the weekend with a love song "Mamo" which was performed partly in her native tongue.

Critics were galled by the fact that the entry also represents a collaboration with Georgian and Estonian composers - two more countries with whom Moscow's diplomatic ties are shaky.

The new rumpus surrounding song contest known for its blend of kitsch and light-hearted nationalism is a reminder of the tensions alive between Moscow and its former satellite states that surfaced in squabbling over the Eurovision voting in past years.

"There must be a new vote and a different person must be sent to the Eurovision because a song preformed in Ukrainian has nothing to do with Russia," protested Yusif Prigozin, a producer for the runner- up contestant, a blond Russian pop diva known as Valeriya.

Prigodzin backed by Russian newspapers Tuesday highlighted as a sign of the 21-year-old singer's torn loyalties that she first applied as an entrant for Ukraine, but was disqualified because her song didn't match the country's length and composition criteria.

"The singer even sent a complaint to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, though it's true, she simultaneously went with her song to the Russian Eurovision jury," ironically prodded the Russian RBC Daily.

"How can a person who was passed over in their own country - in Ukraine - represent Russia? It's shameful," Prigodzin told news agency Ria-Novosti.

Prikhodko's producer, Konstatin Meladze, upheld the decision, calling it "contemporary" and "very international."

"The entry for Russia will be sung by a Ukrainian with music written by a Georgian and also half by an Estonian. It is correct and contemporary," the Georgian-born producer told Ria-Novosti.

Other observers said Russia's multicultural choice is a way to thumb its nose at post-Soviet neighbours whose entries have explicitly poked fun at Moscow amid political differences, like Russia's recent gas row with Ukraine and the war with Georgia in August.

Ahead of the May 14-16 song bonanza in Moscow, Georgia selected a disco-tune taking pot shots at Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Playing on anger following the war in August, Tbilisi's entry is a less-than-subtle play on Putin's name entitled "We Don't Want a Put In." (dpa)